Charming Detective Games: Fun, Non-Violent Mysteries to Solve

At 18 years old, the newest generation is on a quest for discovery. Starting university presents a whirlwind of minor mishaps and significant challenges. Between sleepless nights and missed classes, forgetting where your research group meets, or misplacing your books, a considerable amount of time is spent searching for lost items.

These small enigmas often translate into nearly problems, forming charming little detective games that Mary, the protagonist, navigates as she embraces her new student life each day. Designed by Indonesian creator Melisa, who chose to be known by her first name, the inspiration was drawn from her passion for detective narratives and a wish to steer clear of violence in the genre.

“Since childhood, I’ve devoted myself to reading detective comic books, novels, and manga, alongside playing detective games. I have a fondness for horror as well. Initially, I thought blending detective games with horror aesthetics would create something intriguing—a delightful sense of warmth from unraveling the mysteries of everyday life.”




It’s relevant…it’s hardly a problem. Photo: Posh Cat Studio

In essence, there are no serious crimes. Often, Mary is simply on the lookout for a favorite earring, a familiar face in a crowd, or her playful cat. Each scene plays out like a hidden object puzzle where players search for clues—photos, notes, schedules, and more—before piecing together the story. Who shattered your cherished mug? Investigate its contents and consider what your housemate enjoys drinking along with whether you were present at the right moment to identify the culprit. This is undoubtedly the most relatable crime ever tackled in a video game.

The light-hearted, low-stakes atmosphere is accentuated through gentle cartoons and artistic styles inspired by anime such as Doramon, Marco-chan, and Kobo-chan. Much like certain domestic games like Unpacking, with elements of local storytelling, it emphasizes friendships and family through straightforward narratives. Melisa initiated this project as a quick prototype for the Twitch Game Jam, but it ultimately evolved over two years with the establishment of her studio, Posh Cat, alongside two additional team members. It became a labor of love. “I created it because I longed for a more comforting detective game,” she shares. “Expect something even cozier after 2025!”

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Source: www.theguardian.com

Charming Maniacs in the Wild: Why Does This Adorable Sea Slug Feast on Sunlight?

Locating one of the ocean’s most charming mollusks requires a diver with exceptionally keen vision. This tiny sea slug, Costa Sierra Crosimae—commonly referred to as a leaf sheep—reaches only a few centimeters in length, approximately the size of a fingernail. Their exquisite camouflage makes them hard to spot.

Their vibrant green bodies blend seamlessly with the seaweed they inhabit, which also happens to be their primary food source. An incredible transformation occurs when they consume it.

Similar to terrestrial plants, seaweed contains small structures called chloroplasts within its cells, which facilitate the process of photosynthesis. These chloroplasts harness sunlight energy to convert carbon dioxide into sugars.

When the leaf sheep feed on seaweed, akin to sheep grazing in a meadow, they can digest the sugars they consume. Alternatively, they can retain the entire chloroplasts without damaging them and incorporate them into their bodies for later use.

The features along the back of the leaf sheep resemble small leaves and are known as cerata. Each ceratum houses an extension of the sea slug’s digestive system, filled with chloroplasts, giving it a textured appearance.

Remarkably, these engulfed chloroplasts continue to photosynthesize, generating additional sugars. Therefore, as long as these sea slugs dwell in shallow tropical waters with abundant sunlight, they have a sustainable food source.

The scientist who first discovered this species in the early 1990s on Japan’s Kuroshima Island named it Black Himae.

Since then, divers have been diligently searching for the specific type of seaweed that these leaf sheep prefer, which is exclusively Avrainvillea green algae. These delightful sea slugs have been located in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Costasiella Nudibranch (Sheep Nudibranch) can be found in the Philippines and Indonesia. – Photo Credit: Getty Images

Like other sea slugs that maintain various seaweed species, leaf sheep lay their eggs in a meticulous helix, allowing them to hatch into larvae that drift through the water. Initially, the young sea slugs possess small shells before eventually discarding them to live shell-free.

The process of adopting chloroplasts from seaweed is known as keratoplasia, which can be observed in many other types of ocean slugs. For example, the green Elysian sea slugs (found along the British and other European coasts, Elysia viridis) utilize Codium seaweed (also known as the dead man’s fingers).

While these slugs lack the leaf-like projections seen in leaf sheep, they possess two wing-like extensions that unfold to maximize sunlight absorption for their self-sustaining food factories.

In this position, these marine slugs resemble drifting leaves. Another species, Elysia marginata, not only captures chloroplasts but also performs astonishing feats. Similar to geckos that shed their tails, these sea slugs can separate their heads from their bodies.

This process takes several hours, and while the detached body can survive for days, it does not regenerate a new head. Meanwhile, the original head roams for a while before growing a new body.

This behavior of severing the head may have evolved as a drastic but effective method for eliminating parasite-infected bodies.


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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Windmills are surprisingly charming: Building Relationships, a dating simulation game for PC

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Navigating the challenges of modern dating can be overwhelming for single individuals. The uncertainties of how much you have in common with a stranger, whether you share similar values, and if you can open up to them loom large. Game developer Tanat Boozayaangool delves into these questions in Building Relationships, posing an additional intriguing query: What if you were a home?

The title of this dating adventure game is meant to be taken literally. In Building Relationships, players assume the role of the newest bachelorette residing on an island where love could blossom. The primary objective is to build relationships with other island dwellers, including a charismatic tent, a lackluster houseboat, and a flirtatious windmill named Millie. According to Boozayaangool, Millie tends to be a bit forward, catching some off guard.

Inspired by the eccentric pigeon dating sim “Hatoful Boyfriend” from 2011, “Building Relationships” promises a dating parody infused with personal narratives and surrealism. The game unfolds through various dates that lead to intertwined storylines on the island, where players ultimately decide whom to share a picnic with.

In addition to engaging with the island’s inhabitants through their unique personalities, players can freely explore the environment. Along the way, they encounter talking treasure chests that enhance mobility and fishing spots where they unearth humorous “carp” (referred to as cars in jest). Boozayaangool aimed to infuse the gameplay with a sense of playful exploration in a compact open-world setting, drawing inspiration from the emotive indie gem “A Short Hike”.

The gritty, low-poly art style of the island adventure pays tribute to the origins of Building Relationships as a college game jam creation. The scenery is adorned with cylindrical trees and jagged rocks cloaked in low-res textures, delivering a nostalgic visual style that complements the contemplative ambiance.

Despite the game’s uplifting visual appeal and its inclusion in June’s Wholesome Games Direct, a celebration of non-violent indie gaming, Boozayaangool refrains from labeling it solely as a feel-good experience. Reflecting on the personal themes embedded in the narrative, they acknowledge the underlying emotional challenges of building relationships: “For a seemingly lighthearted game, there’s unexpected depth waiting to be uncovered.”

Without divulging too much, Boozayaangool encourages players to brace themselves for the emotional complexities inherent in the dating journey depicted in the game: “Despite its whimsical facade, there’s a surprising amount of substance to explore.”

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Source: www.theguardian.com

Why your cat insists on sitting on your laptop (not as charming as you think)

Are you the owner of a lovely and precious cat? Then your cat might be blocking the display of this page and ruining everything again, especially if you are reading this page on a laptop.

But what is the reason behind this behavior? Why are cats so obsessed with our computers?

Unfortunately, no large-scale (and probably highly impractical) scientific experiments have yet been conducted to delve into this question, but experts in cat behavior do have an important theory that might explain keyboard cats.



Why does my cat sit on my laptop?

Unfortunately, it’s probably not a case of imitation behavior — your cat just sees you typing and doesn’t want to join in.

Indeed, recent research suggests that felines can mimic human behavior. Cats can map their bodies onto humans to repeat actions(For example, touching the box with the head or a specific limb).

but, Dr. David Sands – Animal Psychology Expert with over 25 years of clinical experience – Cats cannot easily imitate the behavior of typing, so your cat probably won’t be interested if you tempt him with a decoy old laptop.

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It’s also unlikely that cats are attracted solely to the heat emitted by laptops: “Yes, laptops do generate heat, and cats do like warm places, but you need to ask why a cat wouldn’t sit next to a radiator, for example,” Sands says.

What really makes your laptop attractive to cats is its smell — or, more specifically, the smell you keep on it.

“You can’t smell it, but your cat can smell you all over the keyboard,” Sands says.

“Cats are olfactory machines, from the tip of their tail to the tip of their nose. Their world revolves around smells. Their eyesight is developed for nocturnal hunting, and their sense of smell is Really Other times it matters.”

But while it’s possible that your cat is sitting on your computer because it enjoys the smell, Sands says another explanation is far more likely.

“Your cat is most likely trying to steal your scent by leaving his own scent on you. It’s a matter of ownership. By doing this, your cat is essentially saying, ‘You’re mine!'”

“People often think that when a cat rubs itself against you or the objects you touch it’s an affectionate sign, but in reality cats are very possessive creatures. The more they rub against you and leave your scent behind, the better!”

“My Laptop, My Person” © Getty

In case you’re wondering whether cats are desperately trying to become the dominant force in the home, Sands adds: “Dogs have been bred to be companions to humans, but cats have also become quite feral. Cats have been bred primarily for pest control, so they are selfish creatures rather than sociable animals.”

“Remember, cats are evil geniuses. They James Bond There’s a reason to watch movies.”

Is it unhealthy for my cat to sit on my laptop?

From making you close important documents without saving to sending your boss another “s,ll,;;;;;l;mk” message, a cat snuggling on your laptop can take a huge toll on you. If your cat is getting in the way of your work, Sands recommends cleaning your laptop regularly.

But your cat is unlikely to be harmed by lounging on your computer: “Physically, it’s not harmful, and cognitively, it’s only something to be concerned about if this behavior occurs with other cats,” he says.

“If your cat meows a lot and follows you around the house, it could be a sign of anxiety or attention-seeking.”

But what if your cat isn’t showing these signs? There’s no reason why your cat can’t lie on your keyboard – it owns it, and everything else in your home.

About our Expert, Dr. David Sands

Sands has a PhD in Ethology (Animal Psychology) from the University of Liverpool and has over 25 years of experience in animal behaviour clinics. He is a member of the Canine and Cat Behavioural Association (CFBA) and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). Sands is also the author of several books. 500 Questions About Cats AnsweredHamlin, 4 pounds).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com